WORKERS at a Lancaster factory facing closure are hoping for an eleventh-hour reprieve at a special meeting to be held today (Thursday).

Management at Woodeaves Textile Plant on Caton Road are planning the meeting at which they will discuss an offer for the plant that could salvage 123 jobs. The offer is believed by some to be a management buy-out by though this hasn't been confirmed.

Bosses had originally hoped the matter would be resolved by the end of February but the negotiations were delayed.

Transport & General Workers' Union negotiator Peter Reid confirmed he had heard the rumours of the buy-out but explained the whole matter was shrouded in secrecy.

He added: "I know the owners, British Vita, were trying to have this resolved by the end of February but that hasn't been possible. There's a good chance we could know either way at this meeting. Basically if the discussions go forward we are looking at jobs being saved. If they fail we are looking at closure. Hopefully we will know by the end of Thursday."

In January workers were told that unless a buyer could be found by April 26 the 123-strong staff would be thrown on the dole. Company business manager, Alan Ball, wouldn't confirm or deny talk of a management buy-out and in January management indicated that another company were interested in buying the company.

One worker at the factory remained cautious about the news, but added: "This is good news, it gives us hope, but we're definitely not counting our chickens yet. We were devastated when we heard and it really did seem bleak then not least because the company has actually been on the market for a long time. Now we just want to know what's going on. We've all got our fingers crossed."

Mr Ball was cautiously optimistic. He said: "Really the announcement that we made in January still stands - we're still trying to find a buyer or we will close but it's true that we are in negotiations. Obviously until somebody signs there's nothing more I can really say, we sign confidentiality papers.

"I will say that we want the negotiations to be concluded as quickly as possible so that people here know what the situation is. I can also say that these are absolutely serious negotiations."

Our source close to the company told the Citizen: "I 've heard there is a management buy-out in the process of going through but that's all I know."

Meanwhile Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson was pleased to hear anything positive about the chances of saving the jobs. He continued: "My latest understanding is that talks are still proceeding. There's still hope that the firm will carry on."

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